Irish No-wave provocateur Skinner new single, Tell My Ma, from his forthcoming EP Geek Love. We asked him the BIG questions . . .
Skinner is the project of the Dublin-based multi-instrumentalist, singer and producer Aaron Corcoran, who has been inspired by the New York no wave scene in the late '70s/early ‘80s.
Speaking about Tell My Ma, Skinner, whose debut album is released on Faction Records in January, says, "I wrote this as a spin-off to the old Irish folk song for children. I remember my Mam used to sing it to me when I was a child and it's always stuck with me as a kind of comfort song.
"I think as you get older it's funny how things you think are innocent as a child take on a more sinister meaning when you read into them as an adult.
"Lyrically, I think the original folk song hasn't particularly aged too well in terms of relevance to gender equality or what is now deemed as acceptable in society so I wanted to take the lyrics and recycle them by screaming and shouting them in anger and protest instead of the jovial way the song is usually sung."
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I have a great affection for all things percussion. If it makes noise when you bang on it then I'm there. I think a band is only as good as their live show no matter how good the record is. I think the best part about music is that you get to do whatever you want and be whoever you are in front of an audience for an hour or so and not get arrested afterwards.
How would you describe your music?
Punk, disco and no-wave.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Kid Creole and the Coconuts, The Fall, Lizzy Mercier Descloux, Minutemen, James Chance and the Contortions.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
When I was seven, I saw Dickie rock at the Gleneagle Hotel in Kerry. Everyone shouted "spit on me Dickie."
What was the first record you ever bought?
Bob Dylan’s first album. All the songs were old Americana folk and blues covers except for Song to Woody. I thought his voice was jarring but it really struck a chord with me because it was unlike anything I’d ever heard. In My Time Of Dying is particularly haunting.
What’s your favourite song right now?
Jockey Full of Bourbon - Tom Waits.
Favourite lyric of all time?
"This boy is like a tape loop, And he has soft mitts, But he's the last domain, Of a very black, back-room brain" - Middle Mass - The Fall.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Caravan - Liquid Liquid.
Where can people find your music/more information?
Instagram and Spotify.
Alan Corr
